Lesson 2/33 min
Awami Muslim League, Kagmari & NAP
Within two years of Pakistan's birth it was clear that the ruling Muslim League did not speak for the people of East Bengal. A new party was born.
East Pakistan Awami Muslim League
- Founded: 23 June 1949, at Rose Garden on K. M. Das Lane, Dhaka
- It was East Pakistan's first opposition party
- President: Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani
- General Secretary: Shamsul Huq
- One of the Joint Secretaries: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (then in jail)
- Treasurer: Yar Mohammad Khan
- At the council of 21–23 October 1955 the word ‘Muslim’ was dropped from the party's name
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became General Secretary in 1953 and President in 1966
The Kagmari Conference (1957)
- 6–10 February 1957, at Kagmari in Santosh, Tangail
- Chaired by Maulana Bhasani; chief guest Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
- Here Bhasani warned Pakistan's central government and bade it ‘Assalamu Alaikum’
NAP
- The National Awami Party (NAP) was formed on 24–25 July 1957 at Rupmahal Cinema Hall, Dhaka
- President: Maulana Bhasani, who left the Awami League to form it
Memory trick: 1957 is Bhasani's year: the Kagmari Conference in February, NAP in July.
Check yourself
Who was the founding General Secretary of the Awami Muslim League?
At a glance
- 1
The Awami Muslim League was founded on 23 June 1949 at Rose Garden, Dhaka.
- 2
Founding President: Maulana Bhasani; General Secretary: Shamsul Huq.
- 3
In 1955 the word ‘Muslim’ was dropped from the party's name.
- 4
The Kagmari Conference was held in February 1957 at Santosh, Tangail.
- 5
Maulana Bhasani formed the National Awami Party (NAP) in 1957.